Bristlecone Birkebeiner
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Bristlecone Birkebeiner
Bristlecone Birkebeiner Winter Fest is a multi-discipline event held at Ward Mountain Recreation Area on January 16, 2027. The festival includes cross country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire bike racing, and trail running. A separate kids program called Kids Birkie Winter Games offers snow games and activities for ages 3 and up.
The event traces its origins to an earlier Bristlecone Birkebeiner that ran from 1983 to 1993 and was revived by local organizers in 2014. The revived event returned to successful running in 2015 and has since added trail running and fat bike options to accommodate variable snow conditions. Whether snow is present or not is determined the morning of the event and organizers provide trail condition updates in advance.
Distances used on the courses include:
- 4.1 miles Birkebeiner Loop
- 1.5 miles Connector Trail to Birkebeiner Loop
- 5.0 miles Fat tire bike route
Key race rules and logistics include counter clockwise course flow, course markings about every quarter mile, no aid stations on course with a water station at the finish area, and restrictions that keep fat bikes and snowshoes out of the groomed ski track. Fat tire participants must wear a helmet and electric bikes are not allowed. There is no same day registration for cross country ski, snowshoe, and fat tire events although kids may register the day of the kids program. Package pickup is available before the event with remaining packets available on race morning. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
